As a young child from a very modest background I had little or no exposure to art. At eleven I was fortunate to be awarded a scholarship which gave me access to one of Edinburgh’s most renowned schools and I can remember the feelings of awe and joy I experienced during my first real art lesson.

I drew a face, which was met with great acclaim and enthusiasm by the art teacher, although at the time I was unaware that it was to be the beginning of a life long fascination with portraiture.

At Art College painting anything other than people never really interested me – but this was an unconscious obsession. It was to be many years before its significance became fully apparent and I would realise that it was the raison d’etre of my painting and that painting was the raison d’etre for my very existence.

I now paint portraits simply because I need to and for no other reason.

Carole Danielson 2007